Free Tute: Point To Point Runner

Measuring approx 48" x 13", the Point To Point Runner protects surfaces while making sure your table, sideboard or dresser look great.  Whether you're creating focal interest on bed ends and over the back of sofas and chairs, there are so many ways you can use it.  This clean, crisp design is a showcase for all fabric collections, modern and traditional, and is an easy way to ring in changing seasonal themes in your home.

Meadow Dance Blog Hop for Benartex

Welcome to the final day of the Benartex Meadow Dance Blog Hop.

Free Tute: Drawstring Back Pack

Measuring approx 12" x 15-1/2", the Drawstring Back Pack can be worn by small children, teenagers and adults simply by changing the length of shoulder cord used.  Fully lined and quilted, my design features a trimmed front pocket with optional faux popper embellishment, side tabs, and a drawstring top channel that's constructed separately to the main body of the bag.

Tute: Double Zipper Pouch/Pencil Case

The Double Zipper Pouch/Pencil Case is wide enough to hold a 12" ruler and a notepad up to 5-5/8" wide alongside just about anything else you might need on your first day Back To School. It also has a separate zippered front pocket to hold your spare change and even your phone! Its size makes it versatile; how about using it as a makeup bag or a coupon pouch?

Improv: Beyond The Bee - January Bee Block #NYCMetroMOD

There was no bee block for December, so the next one I have to share is now my absolute favourite.

This is my January Improv: Beyond The Bee block for Greer.

Marmite + Vegemite - Which Camp Are You?

 

Marmite + Vegemite - Which Camp Are You?

As you're reading this I'm in Australia, I've already visited Melbourne, done a trip to Brisbane and now I'm in Queensland before heading to Sydney.

Piecing And Joining Diamond Rows [Tute]

Joining diamonds isn't as straightforward as joining squares. It sure looks like it should be easy, those straight lines and angled corners line up perfectly ready to sew a 1/4" seam, but that's not the case at all. Let me show you what happens when you sew them together this way, and then I'll show you how to line them up, so they DO join perfectly.

Replacing Worn Quilt Blocks [Technique]

Remember this quilt?  I made it way back in 2013 for my husband - who had been complaining for some time that I hadn't made him a quilt when "even the dog's got two".  So I finally made him his own quilt using his 100% cotton shirts and some linen shirts and trousers.

No Fuss Half Rectangle Triangle (HRT) Block [Technique]

Mention Half Rectangle Triangles (HRTs) and many quilters shake their heads nervously.  One would assume HRTs are made the same way as Half Square Triangles (HSTs) - two squares right sides together, draw a diagonal line across 2 corners and sew 1/4" seams either side of the line and cut along the line - but that's far from the truth, as anyone who's tried that method will have discovered.  

There are several techniques that do work and today I'm sharing the no fuss technique I used when making The Colour Drop Quilt.

Hand Tied Snuggly Quilt Pattern - Curious Dream

35" Hand Tied Snuggly Quilt Pattern

How To Make A Dresden Plate Blade Template

Don't have a Dresden Blade template and want to make a Dresden Plate in a hurry?
This is how you can make your own.

An Easy Way To Hand Sew Or Quilt Straight Lines

An Easy Way To Hand Sew Or Quilt Straight Lines

Ever wondered how to quilt or sew perfect straight lines, without marking your fabric?

It's super easy and I'm going to show you how I do it.

Beginner's Guide To Turned Edge Circles [Applique Tute]

Let's put our hands together for raw edge applique - I love it, absolutely love it - but now and again, a project calls for turned edge applique.  Urrrgh.  Did I hear someone groan?  It might actually have been me, but to be fair, turned edge applique really isn't that bad.  

My latest project didn't need any applique at all, then at the last moment, I had a bit of a funny turn and thought to add a fussy cut turned edge circle to the centre of my piece would bring something special to the finish.

Making the circle reminded me just how easy turned edge applique is, so I thought I'd share my method with you.  It's nothing original, and the technique doesn't belong to me or to anyone else either! It's just the way it's done and has been for a very long time - so here it is:

Beginner's Guide To Turned Edge Circles

Quarter Inch, Single Fold Binding aka Flat Binding [Tute]

What Is Single Fold Binding + How Is It Different To Double Fold?

As the name implies, single-fold binding has only one fabric layer, while double-fold binding is folded in half before the binding process, thus creating a double layer thickness. Single fold binding is also known as flat binding, while double fold is also known as French binding.

Just One Block - FQ Friendly Free Quilt Pattern with Tute and Tips

Simple, Clean, Modern

Just One Block Quilt Pattern

(approx 71" x 71")

Just One Block is a large square quilt based on my original Kukulcan quilt block pattern. As the name suggests, the quilt comprises just one Block, with each block section mixed and matched to create 3 individual block patterns. You can style it up or down, adapting to suit adults or children, depending on your chosen fabrics. Adapting my original Kukulcan block' 12" finish, the Just One Block block 10-3/4" makes the quilt pattern Fat Quarter friendly. Simple techniques will appeal to beginner and more experienced quilters, and I'll walk you through each stage with diagrams, photo tutes and lots of mbCD tips.

7 Fast And Easy Steps To Pattern Match Fabric Seams - Photo Tute

I love whole cloth quilt backs and often find myself faced with several yards of fabric that I have to pattern match for that almost 'invisible' finish.  

This is my 7 step photo tute showing how I pattern matched two 2-1/2 yard lengths of fabric for a quilt back.

A New Laptop Case For Moriarty

Flicky flies back to Scotland on Friday to start her fourth and final year at The University of St Andrews.

Christmas In July 2016 Blog Hop for Benartex

Welcome to Day 1 of the Benartex Christmas in July Blog Hop 2016.

Hand Tied Snuggle Quilt Pattern [Tutorial]

Who doesn't love a warm snuggle quilt for cold winter's nights?  

A flannel top with the added luxury of sherpa cuddle minky on the back?

47" Hand Tied Snuggle Quilt

An adult size version of my Hand Tied Snuggly, it's an easy pattern using simple techniques that will appeal to both beginner quilters and more experienced quilters as a fast make for a last minute gift.  There's no batting, you don't even have to machine quilt to finish and I'll walk you through each stage with photo tutorials and lots of mbCD tips.

Joining Binding Strips & Matching Patterns [Tutorial]

Binding a quilt recently I was using a super cute penguin fabric and I wanted the penguins lined up perfectly around the bound edge, I didn't want them disappearing off at wonky angles.  That's easy enough to achieve, simply cut the binding strips along the print design rather than with the grain...  

...then I realised I'd also want the penguins to continue in sequence, even across my binding strip joins - I didn't want a sudden large penguin gap or a non-existent gap with two penguins accidentally holding flippers.